Eida to launch e-service package this month

Long queues at typing centres to apply for Emirates identity cards would end this month as the Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) says it would unveil its e-services package within this month.

According to a statement released by Eida, the facility to enable applicants to download the registration form online will be reintroduced by the month-end.

Currently applicants have to visit the typing centre to fill up the registration forms. Many centres continue to hold the original passports of the applicants for days in order to fill the form.

According to Eida, a test run of the electronic form has been going on since the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan to detect possible gaps and prepare for a foolproof launch of the service by end of this month.

An executive answering the hotline number told 'Emirates24|7' that so far no directive ahs been issued to them to advise applicants to use online forms.

“The process is in place. It will take some more time before it is implemented,” the official said.

The facility that was initially available for new applicants was withdrawn after few months, following which applicants had to visit the typing centres to fill up the forms.

According to Eida, the launch is part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its online services and elevate customer experience to international standards.

The Authority will also launch an "instant tracking service" to check the status of the ID application on its website starting next week.

The service will enable customers to track the progress of their application for a new card or renewal of an existing card on the Eida website.

The tracking system will provide complete, accurate information on the real-time status of the application from the moment the application is submitted at authorised typing centres to the printing and actual delivery of cards.

Eida has also approved the proposal for setting up a new call centre with interactive voice response (IVR) facility to respond to customer queries.

Customers can choose to follow up on the status of their application by calling the toll free number 600 530003 and staff at the call centre will answer their queries. With the addition of the new facility the previous enquiry numbers have been cancelled by Eida.

The new services fall within the framework of Eida's gradual evolution to provide and facilitate e-Services by linking them to a digital identity verification system, subsequent to recording the country's population by the middle of 2012.

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